Recent content by Xiong

Well, one certain thing falls out of this discussion. Lack of experience or no, I will have to handlay track. My first couple of turnouts may be inferior to one boughten, but I'll eventually find answers to all these nagging details through practice. I foresee a small test layout. I do think...

Thanks, Colton; that's very much like what I had in mind. Delivered around $100, there's not much point in anything except welded construction, IMO. Welding aluminum is near impossible without the right equipment -- but with it, reliable and proven. That kind of construction should eliminate any...

Well, Fred, I don't have much of a higher education; I'm mostly self-taught. I realize there are guys with great running layouts who shudder when they see a computer but I can't be responsible for that. They may have a great deal to teach but if they can't formalize that knowledge, I can't make...

Fred, you've got some excellent points. Perhaps it seems a little weird to plan a railroad as if I were building a piece of industrial automation for a client. Maybe it doesn't even really matter if a track is here or 1/4" to the left. And I'm pretty sure that an experienced modeller can make a...

Let it never be said that planning is in vain. Now that I have at least halfway accurate track templates to plan the layout, it's clear that it will be rank insanity to build this as a single module. I haven't finished the double main easements and it's already looking like a 6 foot square...

I'm confused. I have a lot of expectations but as far as these templates go, none whatsoever about points -- only about stock rails. Even there, I'm much less concerned with the internal geometry than in making sure that all three tracks, as they exit the turnout, are oriented properly with...

w24 Okay, here we go. This is version w24 of my "scratchbuilt" track template set: http://xuefang.com/rr/junction/track-library-w24.gif Note that it is pretty much pointless to view this in your browser unless you have a 6 x 8 foot monitor; the image is actual size. It's only 588 Kb in...

Now I'm completely baffled. I attempted a #6 turnout, again working from the Fast Tracks template and data. Fast Tracks data specifies a diverging route angle of 9.46° and this agrees well with the template. However, it also specifies a diverging route radius of 43". When I draw a 43" circle...

I don't know why you think you need any walking space. If you have your layout, you can just sit in the middle and enjoy. Also, if you get rid of the bed and other unnecessary furniture, you will have room for a second level below. :)

Well, I have an engineer's habit of drawing everything before building anything. Yes, I tinker -- and often tinker first and draw later. But before I commit to any serious effort, I spend a long, long time in planning. Even when tinkering, I tend to work the calculator before choosing a part. I...

That is an *outstanding* idea, Russ. A small trailer, with appropriate shelving installed, would allow the transportation of perhaps a dozen modules of various sizes; weight is hardly an issue, I'd think. Or, a flatter trailer might haul fewer modules with less air resistance. This is...

I didn't say that. I've seen some excellent modules. If *I* were to build one out of wood, it might be junk. I know my relative skill levels between the wood shop and the machine shop. Also, I'm aware of just how much skill it takes to work with wood well. It's a natural material, with grain and...

Okay. Here's another attempt at a #8 turnout: http://xuefang.com/rr/junction/demo-number8.png The diverging route is now straight past the frog, as is the frog itself. The curved portion of the diverging route has a 67" radius, as specified in the Fast Track template. I've also modified...

Clothoid or ten-chord easements seem to be typical of modern or old-time prototypes but there seems to be plenty of support for cubic easements, too. I think in the end, I'll build what I can build reliably. Yes, when I use a smaller offset, I get very good results. I haven't tried easements...

Because I figure I'm not going to live long enough to build many junk layouts. I may build one or two but I think I need to plan ahead to do the very best of which I'm capable. I see very little point in duplicating others' efforts; I will surpass them or die trying.